Friday, February 11, 2011

Solo and unsupported

So looks like it is on. I am going to traverse the AAWT on my own. I plan to start early March. I will drive to Canberra the last weekend in Feb depositing my drop barrels and then leave my van in Canberra, fly back to Melbourne and get a ride to Walhalla.

This has been a dream of mine for many years and the sudden flurry of interest spurred me into action. I still have much preparation to complete. Shifting from the previous supported-style attempt to solo changes many aspects. I would have loved to have all the team there again but that will have to wait. I had been training hard anyway but have moved focus to more specific work, namely carrying a heavy pack everywhere. And I do mean everywhere. I am sorting feverishly through gear and planning food for the drops. I have set up a mobile blogger to access this blog via sms on my phone so hope to keep updates coming. I have a little over 2 weeks to pull it all together and get out there but in actuality my mind has never been far from the trail since we bailed out just over 12 months ago. I can't wait to get back out there.

Injinji Socks

Undoubtedly the best running sock available, Injinji have supported our attempts at running the AAWT with gear and most importantly their magical toesocks.

Helping the animal shelter

As added incentive I have decided to raise money for the local animal shelter (Geelong Animal Welfare Society GAWS). There are many good causes but this is one close to my heart and one that often struggles to meet the demands especially over the coming holiday season. So if you are looking to support my efforts with a donation to GAWS please follow the link to Everyday Hero to contribute.

Link will be added here:

Athlete Profiles

The runners - Andy and Phil

Andy Hewat

Midpack, middle aged ultrarunner with a passion for mountain trails. The tougher and gnarlier the better. Strength: downhills. Weakness: uphills. Motto: have poles will travel. Have dreamt of running the AAWT since a Canadian friend told me about a continuous trail from Victoria to Canberra way back in 1988. Have finished 15 x 100 mile races including Hardrock, Western States, Great North Walk, Glasshouse and Coast to Kosciuszko. After two failed attempts at the track a lot more circumspect but no less keen to complete a full traverse. Moving a little slower these days after developing AF, now mostly under control after an ablation (see personal Blog for more detail).

Philip Murphy

42 year old design engineer who likes to run lots. Got in with the wrong crowd 11 years ago. Have since ran 9 marathons and 80 ultras including 14 trail 100 milers (Glasshouse, Great North Walk,Western States,Alpine, UTMB and Hardrock) and 4x150 milers (Coast to Kosciuszko) Despite a failed attempt last year am still dead keen to get back out there again. Looks like it might have to wait til Summer 2011-12 by which time hopefully Andy will have a much better knowledge of the trail.
The lure of this great trail is still very much alive...bring it!